Bu Dugen remained silent as he scrutinized Dian Wei and Zhao Yun.

Qiao Yan’s sudden visit caught him off guard.

Even though she was polite and composed now, it didn’t give him any sense of security.

Compared to Lu Bu, Zhao Yun seemed like a lesser general, but he appeared refined and steady.

Dian Wei, on the other hand, looked robust and fierce, especially with the weighty weapon in his hand.

He didn’t resemble an ordinary military commander.

However, Bu Dugen dared not underestimate Zhao Yun either.

The fact that Qiao Yan compared him to the attackers from last time indicated he wasn’t an ordinary talent under this governor of Bingzhou.

He quickly replied, “There’s no need for a contest. If Governor Qiao wishes to defeat us, it would be effortless. It’s better to first discuss trade.”

As a pragmatic Xianbei leader, Bu Dugen promptly stepped towards the boxes.

From a distance, things weren’t very clear, but now he noticed something unusual.

He picked up a piece of coal from one of the boxes and turned back, asking in suspicion, “If I heard correctly, Governor Qiao, did you say this coal is second-rate?”

If this is considered second-rate, what do they use themselves, the Xianbei people?

It’s worth knowing that during fuel shortages, they actually use cow dung as a substitute!

Qiao Yan seemed oblivious to Bu Dugeng’s expression of disbelief.

She calmly responded, “A new coal deposit has been discovered in Yanmen, Bingzhou, and we are currently mining it.”

She wasn’t worried that Bu Dugeng would attack Yanmen upon knowing this.

After being directly attacked twice before, he wouldn’t make such an unwise move.

Yanmen’s defenses were sufficient to keep him out.

Casually, she added, “If manpower were not an issue, we could further expand the mining of this coal deposit. Perhaps next year, the quality of the second-rate goods available for trade will improve.”

“Do you think this trade can be done?”

Qiao Yan’s question interrupted Bu Dugeng’s thoughts when he heard her mention “manpower shortage.”

He composed himself and quickly replied, “Yes! Why wouldn’t it be?”

As long as it allowed them to safely get through winter on the grasslands, preserve their manpower, and maintain leadership over other tribes, Qiao Yan could show up in his camp any day without issue!

Of course, Qiao Yan wasn’t that bored.

She just wanted to plant.

The next seed planted, to be triggered at the right moment.

It so happened that during this northern journey, Bingzhou would gain another batch of warhorses.

Because, her next opponent would be none other than Dong Zhuo of Liangzhou!

A formidable force of cavalry!

Almost concurrently with Qiao Yan and Bu Dugen negotiating this trade and advancing the tribute payment, the former general of the Western Liang, under the advice of Li Ru, had marched another day’s journey towards Luoyang.

This wasn’t sanctioned by He Jin; in fact, due to their close proximity, He Jin had dispatched Cheng Shao to obstruct them.

But Li Ru believed this was a strategically favorable position for Dong Zhuo to advance.

Amidst the deadlock over Dong Zhuo’s troops’ position, time swiftly moved on—

11th April, 189 AD, in the 6th year of Zhongping—

Seemingly just another tense day in recent times in Luoyang.

But when the ailing emperor suddenly calmed down a bit on his sickbed, everyone around him knew the day had come.

He had reached the end of his life.

Liu Hong had someone help him up and walk to the window of the Jiade Hall, finding a place to sit.

Looking outside, his gaze settled on a patch of spring flowers in the courtyard.

Only after a long while did he speak, asking, “Has Liu Youzhou set out on his journey?”

Seven days prior, a messenger on a fast horse had arrived at the official residence of the Commandant of Nanyang.

After announcing the decree appointing him as Grand Commandant, he was led inside and admired his humble abode.

In such a prosperous and wealthy commandery as Nanyang, he had never taken a bribe from anyone nor amassed any wealth.

The significance of this display was clear: he had no extra money to assume the office of Grand Commandant among the Three Excellencies, nor did he have money to reward the small eunuch responsible for proclaiming the decree.

News of Liu Hong’s critical illness had not spread widely. Following standard procedure, the small eunuch returned to the capital with the imperial decree.

In the past, Liu Hong would have already been furious, but he merely said, “It is both the time and the decree,” and issued a new edict—

Liu Yu of Youzhou was appointed as the new Grand Commandant, retaining his position as Governor of Youzhou.

He would return to the court for a few days to report on his duties before returning to Youzhou to stabilize the situation.

With the rebellion in Yuyang subdued, Liu Yu’s temporary absence would not affect the overall situation but would undoubtedly serve as support from an imperial clan member.

As for Yang Xu, who refused the position of Grand Commandant, he was reassigned to the Minister of Ceremonies was also exempted from the customary appointment gift.

However, unexpected news reached the capital yesterday: Yang Xu, before he could even arrive in the capital to assume his new position, had died in Nanyang.

This news left Zhang Rang hesitant for a long time, but he eventually informed Liu Hong.

After all, the death of such a crucial official holding a rank of two thousand stones could not be concealed from higher authorities.

But in the midst of his own precarious situation, knowing his own end was near, Liu Hong was overcome with dizziness for half a day upon hearing this news again.

It wasn’t until he regained his composure that he issued orders to praise Yang Xu’s character and instructed Taishan Commandery to allocate funds to the Yang clan of Taishan.

And now, today’s question.

Zhao Zhong, standing by his side, wanted to say that perhaps His Majesty was confused.

The appointment decree would take some time to reach Youzhou from here, and Liu Yu’s handover with various commandery prefects would also require time.

If he were to set off, it would take at least another ten days.

How could he possibly be on the road already?

But seeing Liu Hong’s unusually clear gaze at this moment, Zhao Zhong realized there was no confusion in his state of mind.

As he gazed upon that flourishing flower on the branch, it was clear there was hope in his eyes.

He wasn’t asking whether Liu Yu, Governor of Youzhou, was already on his way.

Instead, he was questioning whether the Chancellor he had chosen for Liu Xie could successfully shoulder that responsibility.

Zhao Zhong choked up for a moment before replying, “Your Majesty, rest assured, he has already arrived to assume his duty.”

Liu Hong’s fingertips moved slightly, and he remained silent for a long time.

Both Zhao Zhong and Zhang Rang almost wanted to test his breathing before he spoke again in a low voice, “Since I usurped the title of Marquis of Jie, ascending to this position of wielding the nation’s authority, it has been twenty-one years now. During these twenty-one years, the Han Dynasty has faced repeated turmoil, with locust plagues, severe winters, and widespread epidemics. After I pass away, how will the people judge me?”

Emperor Xiaohuan clashed with Grand General Liang Ji, seizing power from Grand General Dou Wu’s hands.

Because of the cautious yet cooperative relationship between the imperial family and powerful relatives, he chose He Jin as the safest option in his eyes.

But now, He Jin has surrounded himself with a group eager to purge the court officials and has become opposed to the succession issue.

He thought the Hongdumen Academy could quietly oppose the aristocracy, but it seemed only to be a place of elegant literature and art.

Although the realm was chaotic, the grievances of the people were boiling.

“Your Majesty—”

“It’s not the right time…” Liu Hong waved his hand, indicating they need not say more. “There’s no need to discuss matters after my death again. You two should know what to do. Once it happens, immediately command Lu Gong to take charge of military affairs in the capital.”

Lu Zhi was highly respected, skilled in commanding troops, and loyal to the Han Dynasty.

Only Lu Zhi could temporarily control military power in Liu Hong’s absence after He Jin’s death.

He was also the second chancellor he had chosen for Liu Xie.

He hoped that by the time Lu Zhi received his appointment, the situation in the capital would not have spiraled out of control, and there would be no need to disturb Qiao Ye Shu’s Bingzhou army.

Upon hearing Zhao Zhong and Zhang Rang’s assurances, as well as the news that Jian Shuo had already arrived at the imperial city, Liu Hong finally settled his mind completely.

Even though he still harbored doubts at this moment, whether these entrusted people could achieve the outcome he envisioned, at this moment, everything needed to wait until after his death to unfold.

Why bother himself with additional troubles?

His gaze remained fixed on the flower on the branch until a petal fell from the twig in the spring breeze, and slowly, his eyes closed.

And afterward, they never opened again.

At this moment, the tenth emperor of the Eastern Han Dynasty finally entered eternal slumber.

He maintained the posture of someone asleep, as if he could speak no more.

Zhang Rang hesitated for a long time before daring to approach and confirm that Liu Hong had indeed passed away.

At that moment, those four words were the last sentence he left behind.

Normally, the funeral bells within the imperial city would have tolled by now, informing the people of Luoyang of the emperor’s passing.

But Zhang Rang knew it wasn’t yet the time for him to make such decisions.

He didn’t even have time to mourn the emperor before him or contemplate his own uncertain fate, because he had something more important to do!

He exchanged a glance with Zhao Zhong, who placed Liu Hong’s body back on the bed swiftly.

Zhang Rang then quickly contacted Jia Shuo to seal the South Palace gates and stationed guards from within the South Palace atop the city walls on all four sides.

The city walls themselves were crucial defenses of Luoyang.

At this critical moment, only the emperor had relocated to the South Palace after the Yellow Turban Rebellion.

The empress dowager, the empress, and the two princes resided in the North Palace.

To prevent any attempt by Liu Hong to set aside his heir and favor a younger successor, He Jin, relying on his position as Grand General, had almost equal control over the guards in the North Palace as well as the palace’s inner troops, in a standoff to protect Liu Bian’s life.

Yet perhaps there was no need for such excessive precautions after all.

Even if Liu Hong considered Liu Bian weak and incapable of bearing the heavy responsibilities of the emperor, he simply wished to ensure the young man’s safety.